Overview of Taiwan's National Health Insurance System Evolution and Coverage
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) system, tracing its historical development from the post-World War II era to the present. Initially characterized by fragmented public insurance programs covering specific groups like government employees and farmers, the system achieved only 59 percent population coverage prior to 1995. In 1986, the government initiated a shift toward a universal program, culminating in the establishment of the NHI Planning Team in 1991, the NHI Act in 1994, and the launch of the single-payer NHI system in 1995. Further reforms led to the implementation of the Second-Generation NHI in 2013 to enhance financial sustainability. Currently, enrollment is mandatory for all citizens, achieving 100 percent coverage by the end of 2023. The system is primarily funded through premiums paid by individuals, employers, and the government, supplemented by levies on non-payroll income such as bonuses, rent, and dividends, as well as tobacco taxes and lottery gains. This structure ensures broad access and financial stability for healthcare services across the region.
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Overview of Taiwan's National Health Insurance System Evolution and Coverage
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) system, tracing its historical development from the post-World War II era to the present. Initially characterized by fragmented public insurance programs covering specific groups like government employees and farmers, the system achieved only 59 percent population coverage prior to 1995. In 1986, the government initiated a shift toward a universal program, culminating in the establishment of the NHI Planning Team in 1991, the NHI Act in 1994, and the launch of the single-payer NHI system in 1995. Further reforms led to the implementation of the Second-Generation NHI in 2013 to enhance financial sustainability. Currently, enrollment is mandatory for all citizens, achieving 100 percent coverage by the end of 2023. The system is primarily funded through premiums paid by individuals, employers, and the government, supplemented by levies on non-payroll income such as bonuses, rent, and dividends, as well as tobacco taxes and lottery gains. This structure ensures broad access and financial stability for healthcare services across the region.
Commonwealth Fund